The USCF's 9th Annual Electronic Knights Correspondence Chess Championship (2012 E-Knights) is open to all USCF members. USCF membership must remain current throughout your participation in the tournament. Entry fees are to be paid in U.S. Dollars. All moves must be exchanged using email and all players must retain a hard copy of each move transmission to ensure documentation should a dispute/complaint arise.

The tournament will consist of three rounds (preliminaries, semifinals, and finals). Sections for each round will consist of seven players, usually of varying strengths; unrated players are welcome as this is an Open event. Each player will be assigned six games in each round of play, three with White and three with Black.

Those who score four and one-half or more points (not weighted-point totals) will advance to the next round. If no one scores four and one-half or more, those who scored 4 will advance. If necessary, the last semi-final and finals sections may be filled out with players who scored 4 points. The selection of these players will be based on the highest rated at that time.

Players who do not qualify for the semifinals will receive a gift certificate valued at $7.00. Those semifinalists who do not qualify for the finals will receive a certificate suitable for framing. Those who complete all three rounds with no forfeit losseswill receive a USCF pin and have a chance to win prize money depending on their weighted-point score.

Cash prizes will be distributed as follows based on weighted-point scores (see Rule 6):

First Place: $700.00, plus title of 2012 E-Knights Champion and a plaque

Second Place: $400.00

Third Place: $300.00

Fourth thru Tenth: $100.00 each

Note: Prize fund guaranteed (based on 200 entries) and may be decreased proportionately per number of entries assigned.

For computing weighted-points scores (used for distribution of prizes only not for advancing), each game won in the preliminary round will count as 1.0. Each game won in the semi-final round will count as 2.2. Each game won in the final round will be scored as 4.5. Draws count as half the weighted-value of a win. Forfeit wins are recognized as a regular win. A perfect score (winning all 18 games) would total 46.20. If two or more contestants tie for money places, they will share equally the sum total of all prizes involved.

Upon entering, each contestant agrees that the decision of the USCF Director shall be final in all matters regarding conduct of the tournament, including acceptance and classification of entries, the adjudication of games, the distribution of prizes, and all interpretations of the rules and regulations.

The entry fee is $25.00, which covers all three, rounds should that player keep advancing. A player may enter up to 10 times, paying $25.00 for each, provided he applies early enough to allow placement. (See Rule 9)

We will issue pairings throughout the year but please note: single entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2012; two entries by September 30, 2012, three to four entries by August 30, 2012, five to seven entries by July 31, 2012. Eight to ten entries by June 30, 2012. USCF will not be obligated to pair entries postmarked after December 31, 2012 for the 2012 E-Knights Championship. USCF will begin receiving entries for the 2013 E-Knights Championship after December 31, 2012 but pairings will not begin for the 2013 E-Knights Championship until January 2, 2013.

Except as provided in the foregoing rules, this tournament will be conducted under the most recent version of the USCF Correspondence Chess rules, including any amendments or additions thereto. Late reports, assignments, forfeits, and other important information will be announced by email whenever possible.

A forfeiture by one player to two opponents in one section may lead to further forfeits by that player.